People on the Move: GJD; Jolliffe & Co; Auger; Pegasus Group; JB Cole

Jason Hill and Mark Tibbenham

Heywood-based external detector equipment specialist GJD has appointed Jason Hill as commercial director.

Managing director Mark Tibbenham said: “Even though we were 2017 recipients of the Queens Award for Enterprise, International Trade, there are a significant number of markets where we have no representation and Jason can help us identify suitable distributors and partners globally.

“We are also expanding in the US after opening an office in Los Angeles last year and focusing on the home automation market there, Jason is extremely well connected with that sector in North America.”

He added: “Most importantly, GJD has ambitious new product development plans and we need to communicate those effectively to a large potential market.

“Having worked with Jason over the last few years on a number of projects and partnerships, I felt he was the man we needed to take our business to the next phase.”

Jason said: “It is very satisfying to be working for a British security manufacturer after all these years in the industry.

“GJD is growing fast and is already recognised as a UK export success story, but there is still so much more potential.

“I will be busy travelling the world to meet new partners and supporting the US operation as it expands. Mark has already done the hard work of enabling support of GJD products into home automation platforms so I need to work on market awareness.

“Reliable human detection in external applications is in huge demand from end users and we have the technology to deliver that, I have also seen the product roadmap for the next two years and there are some great projects on the horizon.”

Jason joins GJD from Taiwanese surveillance manufacturer LILIN, where he was UK managing director for 20 years and latterly group vice president. He has worked in the security industry since 1990, predominantly with manufacturers.

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One of the best known family lawyers in the North West has joined Chester law firm Jolliffe & Co LLP as head of its family law team.

Elizabeth Hassall returns to Chester from Manchester where she was running her own city centre boutique firm.

She joins with more than 30 years of experience as a family law solicitor and is returning to her roots as she is a farmer’s daughter born in Malpas, South Cheshire.

Elizabeth undertook her Law Society exams in Guildford before settling in Chester where she developed her reputation at Hill Dickinson for 11 years and thereafter in Manchester as head of family for Top 50 law firms Halliwells and Gateley LLP.

Elizabeth Hassall

She chaired the Greater Manchester Collaborative Law Group in 2014 before establishing her own family law practice in 2015.

She is an Accredited Specialist of Resolution, a specialist family law body.

Elizabeth said: “Clients contact me at what is one of the most difficult and distressing times of their lives. My experience and knowledge of family law must come with an understanding of the emotional needs of clients, their children and frequently their extended families.”

She joins an established team. Helen Davies and Chelsey Bayliss are eight and five years qualified, respectively.

Simon Williams, managing partner and head of corporate and commercial at Jolliffes, said: “We attract high quality work and clients in all areas of business. We pride ourselves on our level of service, quality of expertise and experience.

“Elizabeth’s appointment is further evidence of our commitment to building a strong and talented team for growth and helping to deliver the firm’s ambitions as a Tier One Legal 200 law firm.”

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Specialist for the UK insurance industry Auger, with its headquarters in Wallasey, has appointed Iain Jones to lead a new training initiative for its growing team of engineers.

Auger’s longest serving engineer, at 17 years, Iain has become lead trainer for a range of practical, as well as theory and technical skills which can all be conducted on site at the company’s headquarters.

Auger, which has expanded its national team to more than 70 engineers, has developed its own dedicated Academy to train engineers in drainage and water mains claims services.

Iain Jones

Iain said: “Having a dedicated site for practical training provides the scope to develop the technical skills which – coupled with first class premises to teach the theory behind it – enables us to deliver a level of training and development that is unrivalled in this industry.

“The quality of training we can offer means all of our engineers are working to a consistently high level and achieving best practice for our customers.”

Auger is developing the area around its headquarters to turn it into a practical working space to take trainee engineers through the whole process of theory and practical learning.

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National consultancy Pegasus Group has unveiled a series of internal promotions, including Steve Williams, in Liverpool, who has gone from principal to associate urban designer.

The Group specialises in planning, design, environment, economics and heritage and has more than 280 skilled and experienced staff operating from 12 offices in 11 locations across the UK.

Pegasus Group managing director Tony Bateman said: “We are extremely proud of the range of talent that exists across the whole of the group.

Tony Bateman

“Each of these New Year promotions recognises not only an experienced skills set, but also a commitment to delivering the ambitious vision for growth that Pegasus Group takes with it into 2019.”

Steve Williams joined Pegasus Group in 2010 from a private architecture and planning practice in Liverpool.

He has supported the growth of the Leeds and Liverpool offices within the landscape and urban design teams.

Steve’s experience extends across the residential, mixed-use, renewable energy and minerals sectors and covers initial site feasibility and assessment through to detailed design.

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Josh Bolland, chief executive of Manchester-based technology and innovation consultancy J B Cole, has been appointed chair of BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) Manchester.

Having previously been recognised in the BIMA 100 for achievements in the digital industry in 2016 and 2017, and already sitting on the BIMA North West council, Josh will now be the focal point for BIMA’s growth in Manchester, supported by the North West committee and a newly-structured council.

Josh will be working alongside Ian Finch (Mando), North West chair, and Andy Kent (Angel Solutions), Liverpool chair, as well as Karl Barker (Cube3) and Joanna Hinchliffe (Amaze), to support the growth of BIMA in the region.

Josh Bolland

BIMA is Britain’s digital community. Its councils and think tanks drive innovation and excellence across the digital industry, informing thinking, promoting inclusiveness and preparing the industry for the future.

Josh has been the regular host of the BIMA Breakfast Briefings throughout 2018, bringing hundreds of Manchester’s digital scene together with a number of expert guest speakers.

He plans to use his new role as chair to create a collective of digital experts within the city, running key events and workshops focused around digital technology and innovation, as well as the state of play in the industry.

He said: “BIMA has been a huge part of my personal journey and that of JB Cole, too. I’ve been able to tap into their support from the beginnings of our agency eight years ago and have found their assistance and guidance invaluable in this time.

“I’m proud to now be in this position where I can help drive BIMA forward in Manchester, support the North West’s digital sector, and crucially give something back to the agencies and technology businesses in the city.”

He added: “Manchester is brimming with digital talent and innovative businesses. It’s a huge honour for me to help steer the conversation of the industry in the city.”

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